Which HTPC Case to buy?

AussieHusky · Post by **AussieHusky** » Sat Aug 16, 2008 9:07 am

Hi folks, Im at a bit of a loss on which HTPC case to buy, Im after something the resembles an audio amplifier found in most Home theatres, Extra points for a volume knob. Id like to spend around $100US or $150AUD, Id like mATX, and very good sound dampening for the hard drives.

Ive looked at the Mini p180, but I dont really want a tower, the Fusion 430 is great, but way to expensive at $250(AU) with the VFD less version still around the $150 mark and missing the volume control knob. The Zalman HD160 is also nice, but at $350 its way out of my price range.

yamahaSHO · Post by **yamahaSHO** » Sat Aug 16, 2008 10:58 pm

I hear the Volume knob on the Fusion is buggy. Personally, I would go with the NSK-2480 (the one without the volume knob). It can be made VERY quiet and cool. You can easily suspend some laptop HDD's in the HDD bay and you won't hear them (at least I don't hear mine).

Here is my build... viewtopic.php?t=46788&highlight=yamahasho

AussieHusky · Post by **AussieHusky** » Sun Aug 17, 2008 2:07 am

Thanks! Ive ordered one for $130 including delivery which im happy with.

Igor · Post by **Igor** » Wed Aug 20, 2008 2:12 am

I'm thinking about buying the NSK2480 also. How high is it without the feet, and do the feet come off easily?

bumthology · Post by **bumthology** » Wed Aug 20, 2008 7:35 am

anyone know if u can mod an NSK2480 to fit normal ATX?
From the photos i've seen, it looks like the PSU can be raised , and a full size mobo can fit just underneath it.

Modo · Post by **Modo** » Wed Aug 20, 2008 8:55 am

bumthology wrote:anyone know if u can mod an NSK2480 to fit normal ATX?
From the photos i've seen, it looks like the PSU can be raised , and a full size mobo can fit just underneath it.

In theory, you could do that. But you would really need to gut the case, meaning breaking the whole structure in the middle. Also, you'd have a really hard time getting to any of the lower motherboard connectors, especially the ones pushed under the PSU. Not to mention the installation process... It might work (i.e. be usable) with a PicoPSU, but it would still be rather difficult.

However, unless you have some very extreme/weird needs, you probably don't need to anymore. See here.